Proper pride : A novel. Volume 2 (of 3)

Sir Reginald, a dashing officer on leave, sets out for the magnificent Nilgiri Hills, where the air grows thin and the landscape unfurls in ribbons of emerald forest, sparkling rivers and fragrant blossoms. The journey, taken along an ancient mountain road, is peppered with moments of wonder as he pauses to admire wild roses, heliotrope hedges and the ruined fortress of Tipu Sultan, a silent witness to forgotten battles and whispered legends of lost treasure.

Amid the breathtaking scenery, Reginald’s thoughts drift to the women waiting for him—Alice, whose imagined joy fuels his ascent, and Mary, whose plea for marriage looms in his mind. He mingles with fellow travelers at a hill‑top hotel, joins spirited picnics, and proves himself a keen tennis player, all while the mystery of the “Droog” and its hidden riches adds a subtle undercurrent of intrigue to his adventure.